'He is like Javed Miandad' - Sunil Gavaskar draws similarity between Virat Kohli and Pakistan great

Cricket fans can’t keep calm as Virat Kohli is set to add another feather to his already-illustrious hat. The first Test match between India and Sri Lanka in Mohali will mark Kohli’s 100th appearance in the format and many eyes will be on him. On the eve of the clash, former Indian skipper Sunil Gavaskar lavished massive praises on Kohli while speaking about his about the latter’s ability to shine under pressure.

Gavaskar, who’s among the 11 Indians to have played 100 Tests before Kohli, asserted playing these games in the longest format is itself an achievement. He also went to draw comparisons between the 33-year-old and former Pakistan captain Javed Miandad. Gavaskar highlighted the two belong to a rare breed of batters who like to sledge bowlers and provoke them.

Virat Kohli likes to get under the skin of bowlers: Sunil Gavaskar

“To provoke a fast bowler takes something else. Kohli is one of the rare batters who likes to sledge bowlers. He has been different, he likes to get under their skin. He is like Javed Miandad in that sense. His progress has been phenomenal, the consistency with which he has played, the 100th Test and beyond should be more of the same,” said Gavaskar in a video posted by BCCI.

The legendary Sunil Gavaskar takes us through the run of emotions that @imVkohli could feel ahead of his 1⃣0⃣0⃣th Test. 🙌🙌 #VK100 pic.twitter.com/bzsh44xHXm

— BCCI (@BCCI) March 3, 2022

Meanwhile, the game was initially planned to take place behind closed doors amid COVID-19 concerns. However, 50 percent of crowd capacity has now been approved. Gavaskar believes the spectators will lift Kohli up throughout the contest.

“Whether Kohli is fielding or going out to bat, the crowd will lift him up. That is what crowds do, especially when it is a home crowd. Everyone will be wanting him to get a hundred in his 100th Test. His has been an incredible journey, I remember him making his debut in the West Indies in 2011, even there you could see a fire in him,” he added. Notably, Kohli has been short of runs lately and he would  like to make his bat talk in the milestone game.